Draw-fold curtain, screen and the like control assembly



Ju 4, 1967 w LG E 3,329,196

DRAW-FOLD CURTAIN, SCREEN AND THE LIKE CONTROL ASSEMBLY Filed June 4, 1964 1 Iii :IILD Q L mvznroaz- United States Patent ()filice 3,329,196 Patented July 4, 1967 3,329,196 DRAW-FOLD CURTAIN, SCREEN AND THE LIKE CONTROL ASSEMBLY William E. Algie, 2653 Bayview Ave, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada Filed June 4, 1964, Ser. No. 372,561 Claims priority, application Great Britain, June 7, 1963, 22,725/63 10 Claims. (Cl. 160-84) The present invention relates to means for withdrawing (or drawing-back) or opening a curtain, drape, screen, or concertina-wise foldable, multi-panel curtain-wall, or air of same (as when oppositely slidable), so that when any of the foregoing are moved as stated toward a jamb or pair of opposite jambs of an opening, they will preserve their open, extended appearance as to those portions which remain obstructing the opening. The curtain, drape, screen or the like will only become folded or collapsed as and t the extent that longitudinal narrow panels thereof reach their limit of travel toward the jamb or jambs. As a result, a curtain the pleating of which has been so designed as to present its most attractive appearance when drawn or covering the opening to the extent to which it has been fashioned to cover same, will preserve its attractive appearance while being drawn back or regardless of the extent to which it is partially drawn back or opened to expose the window (for instance) therebehind; In the case of a screen or tapestry which, when drawn or exposed to the full intended extent is planar and unpleated, the same withdrawing effect will apply: That is to say, such screen or tapestry as it is being drawn back to ex pose whatever there may be behind it, will remain planar and unpleated except for those narrow longitudinally panels thereof which have reached the end of their intended travel and (generally speaking) have come up against the jamb of the surrounding opening.

A result flowing from the foregoing is that it becomes unnecessary, in the case of curtains and drapes to rearrange and adjust the pleating as best one can when the curtain or drape is only partially withdrawn. This is a time consuming elfort which, in domestic circumstances often has to be undertaken every day in Winter particularly. For, if it is not, the partial withdrawing of curtains and drapes with the usual cords or stick (hanging from the leading edge) results in excessive pleating at the parting edge or edges. This is unsightly; and the consequent adjustment means that the curtain has to be pulled and handled, hence unnecessarily soiled and subjected to strain all of which is completely obviated by the present invention.

In the exemplification of the inventive concept herein particularly described and illustrated, the curtain does not pull upon the curtain in the operation of opening or drawing-back the same. By contrast the effort involved in moving the curtain may be applied at the opening edge, in the vicinity of the jamb, or anywhere between the jamb and the opening edge. Regardless of Where the efliort is applied there is no pull of the curtain upon the curtain.

A further object is to provide a means by which curtains, drapes, screens, folding-doors and the like may be held rigid and in their open plane as they are being withdrawn or opened, and this by means of a set of interconnected links capable of being locked into a rigidly extended system the individual links of which only break or jack-knife (as between each pair of adjacent links) when they come up against the jamb of the opening. The set of links is comprised of a concatenation of pairs of track-slidable, supporting links, and connecting links, both forms of link being designed for high speed multiplecavity moulding in any suitable plastic with the result that assembly of the present invention will a set of any length, or extension-pairs for any set may be sold at retail within a price range competitive to conventional curtain hanging means.

With the foregoing objects in view, and such others as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the present invention consists in the following arrangement and construction of parts, all as hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying figures in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary schematic representation of a curtain embodying the present inventive concept.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation, partly fragmented, showing the linkage system constituting a preferred embodiment of the present invention in rigid, locked, or extended form.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but illustrating the manner in which the links are unlocked to permit folding of the associated curtain or the like in the vicinity of the jamb of the surrounding frame.

FIGURE 4 is a plan representation of one of the connecting links.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of one curtain or the like supporting links.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective detail illustrating the manner in which a curtain may be hung from the trackslidable link.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevation depicting the manner in which the track-slidable links move upon an associated track of I-beam form.

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional representation depicting the manner in which the track-slidable links may be modified and strengthened for movement when heavier curtains, drapes and the like are involved, upon a pair of heavy-duty channel-type tracks.

In the drawings, like characters of reference designate similar parts in the several figures.

The present invention comprises an assembly for sup* porting curtains, drapes, screens, concertina-type, multianelled curtain-walls and the like upon a track comprising a set of links collectively designated 1. These links are alternately in the form of track-slidable locking links collectively designated 2 (also indilferently referred to as supporting elements), and connecting links collectively designated 3. Pivotally positioned upon the links 2 are locking means collectively designated 4. The aforesaid links are rotatably connected to each other adjacent their opposite ends to form, in locked position a rigid concatenation or system movable longtudinally as a unit under such circumstances that the endmost connecting link 3 will yield upon coming up against an obstacle, abutment or jamb 5, and rotate whereby lever means collectively designated 6 upon the end of links 3 will actuate the locking means or element 4 which in turn will release the next adjacent connecting link, it being understood that the connecting links 3 are provided with recipient portions 7 capable of being held captive by locking means 4 until released as depicted in the accompanying FIG- URE 3. The lever means 6 and portions 7 may also usefully be described as pressure responsive unlocking means, and locking element intercepted means respectively, for reasons which will presently become apparent;

Having thus described the present invention in a summary form for the purpose of associating the principal parts thereof with the accompanying claims, a more detailed description follows:

It is initially to be understood that the linkage system or preferably, though by no means necessarily, be manufactured out of a suitable composition of plastic. The track-slidable links or supof the track-slidable porting elements already collectively designated 2 are constructed as follows:

The main body portion 8 of each link 2 is of downturned channel formation considered in situ for the major portion of its length. Hence it comprises the web portion 9, and side walls 10. At the track-mounted end 11 of link 2, the body portion is split to provide the projecting wing portions collectively designated 12, which terminate in the semi-circular bearing portions 13.

Projecting inwardly from the semi-circular bearing portions are arcuately segmental track-bearings 14 intended to slide upon tracks 15 of light I-beam configuration thus presenting flanges 16 (on which the portions 14 actually ride), and web portions 17.

Externally of the portions 13, and of similar diameter, are integral, semi-circular collars 18, spaced from the portions 13 to provide a semi-circular gap 19. Within this gap or recess is positioned a curtain hanging ring 20 of elongated conformation and preferably tipped outwardly as to the lower portion thereof as best illustrated in the accompanying FIGURE 6. For purposes of orientation the ends or shoulders of the collars 18 are designated 21, and it will be appreciated that the interruption provided by the shoulders 21, to the complete circularity of the collars 18, provides for easy attachment and detachment of the rings 20. Also, by reducing the area of frictional contact between such rings and the adjacent material, they will always hang freely regardless of angulation of the link 2 as will presently become apparent.

Portions 13 are centrally apertured to provide, if desired for the journalling therein of a pin 22 on the outer ends of which may be mounted steel rollers 23. This procedure can be adopted in the case of particularly heavy drapes and the like, and would be employed in association with a pair of inwardly and oppositely opposed channel members 24 in lieu of the I-beam 15.

The opposite ends collectively designated 25 of links 2 are obtusely angulated and constitute a pair of spaced bearings 26 (suitably reinforced by the external ribs 27) for the connecting pins 28 by means of which connecting links 3 are attached to track-slidable links 2. Finally, in connection with track-slidable links 2, locking means 4 is journalled via the pair of externally projecting trunnions 29 within apertures 30 formed in flanges so as to be freely movable within the recess 31 existing within the confines of web 9- and flanges 10.

In detail locking means 4 comprises a latch of generally tapered conformation presenting a distal nose portion 32, and a butt-end generally designated 33. The said butt-end is formed of two separate leg portions 34 providing a space therebetween so that they can be squeezed together to permit the integral trunnions 29 to be sprung outwardly into the apertures 30. The butt-end is provided with a locking recess 35 in each of the leg portions 34.

The connecting links 3, individually considered comprise an elongated body portion generally designated 36 which is of predominately open section as best depicted in the accompanying FIGURE 4. Specifically an opening 37 exists between the side portions 38. However, a thin web covering the recesses 39 and 40 provides transverse stiffening in this region so that such recesses are more accurately describable as shallow wells upon the underside of each link as considered in situ.

Trunnions 41 project outwardly from the sides of the links 3 and are journalled in the apertures 28. The lever means already generally designated 6 comprises the substantially right-angulated recess 42 which presents a lip 43 engageable with nose portion 32. Trunnions 44 project from this end of each connecting link to be journalled in the pair of bearings 45 which project downwardly from each of the track-slidable links 2.

It will be observed from all the foregoing that the connecting links 3 are pivotally connected to links 2 at one extreme end of the former, but medially with respect to the other end (that is to say via trunnions 41 and bearings 28). There is thus provided the recipient portion 46 upon each connecting link capable of being held captive within the recess of each locking means or latch 4. The recipient portions aforesaid comprise the main portion 47 and the 5 frictional entering piece 48. Having thus described the construction of the present invention, its mode of operation will be briefly indicated to the extent this may still be said to remain necessary.

The curtain 49 is to be considered as partially drawn with respect to the enclosure or frame 50. The parting edge is designated 51. It will be observed that the assembly collectively designated 1 is extended or rigid with respect to that portion thereof generally designated 52 while the end portion has been collapsed or jack-knifed as at 53.

It is to be understood that the curtain, collapsible wall, or the like will generally be held as to the edge 54 or upper corner which is adjacent jamb 5. Then, when the curtain is drawn or moved into closed position by travel in the direction of arrow 55, the links 2 and 3 will successively assume the extended position best depicted in the accompanying FIGURE 2. In other words, commencing from the pair of adjacent links 2 and 3 which are nearest to the parting edge 51, angulation toward co-linearity will occur simultaneously about points 56 and 57 (FIGURE 2) As this occurs, the cammed end 48 will rotate latch 4 slightly clockwise about point 29 before engaging and entering recesses 35.

If now'it be desired to Withdraw, retract or collapse the curtain 49 (or screen, drape, or as the case may be) toward the left or in the opposite direction to that toward which arrow 55 is pointing, then, in such event, a horizontal compressive effort applied (for instance) against point 57 will cause the whole concatenation or system of links to move leftwardly carrying the curtain or the like leftwardly with it but without collapsing it since the system will remain rigid except as to the left end pairs of links as they approach jamb or end of travel 5.

Thus, it will be apparent that as compression is applied to the specific, endmost connecting link 58 against jamb 5, it will rotate counter clockwise about its right-hand end and move down the jamb. In doing so, lip 43 will raise nose portion 32 as depicted in the accompanying FIGURE 3. At a certain point, end 48 will thus be released from recesses 35. Thus the pair of links depicted in FIGURE 3 will jack-knife and move toward collapsed parallel relationship about point 41, and in the fully closed position of the assembly as manufactured, it is to be understood that each pair of track-slidable and connecting links will come into snug, parallel, and interfacing fully folded relationship.

Since various modifications can be made to the novel subject-matter herein, without departing from the inventive concept which the same embodies, it is not intended that protection of this invention by Letters Patent should be interpreted as restricted to the particular modification or modifications thereof particularly described and exemplified.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A chain of links for facilitating the folding of curtains, folding-walls and the like, longitudinally guidable in an unfolded state toward a folding station having a link obstruction thereat, said chain comprising a plurality of links, movable means mounted upon alternate links, said movable being so adapted and arranged as to (a) engage with means on the link next adjacent those upon which said movable means are mounted and, (b) move independently of the links upon which they are mounted, whereby when said chain is in expanded or stretched condition consequent upon the application of a tensile eifort applied thereto, said movable means and said means on the links next adjacent, are in interlocked relationship upon the application of a compressive effort applied to said chain, and whereby (a) said chain is caused to move as a unit in longitudinally extending, rigid condition toward said obstruction and (b) each individual link thereof, as it reaches its end of possible travel due to presence of said obstruction at said folding station, is caused successively to collapse or fold, whereby said chain may be converted from said rigid condition into folded condition only as and to the extent the links thereof are prevented from further longitudinally guided movement clue to said ohstruction, and at said folding station.

2. A linkage system for facilitating the folding of curtains, folding-walls and the like while at least a part of said curtains, folding-wal-ls and the like are being guided unfolded along a track operatively a-ssocated with said system toward a folding station having a link obstruction there'at, said system at least including, in combination, a plurality of links operatively connected to said curtains, folding-walls and the like, means upon said links co -operating therebetween for (i) interlocking said links in expanded, stretched relationship upon the application of a longitudinal tensile elfort to said system, (ii) maintaining those links outside said folding station in said interlocked relationship upon the application of a longitudinal compressive effort upon at least a part of said system toward said link obstruction, which causes said system to travel toward said folding station, and (iii) unlocking said links successively as they reach the end of travel at said folding station consequent upon fold-initiating compressive contact against said link obstruction by the link which first makes such contact, thereby to fold said curtains, folding-walls and the like into successive pleats or interfacing panels.

3. The linkage system according to claim 2 which is of obtusely angulated, zig-zag configuration as between alternate links when said links are in said expanded relationship.

4. The linkage according to claim 2 in which said links comprise alternate locking and connecting links of differing configuration.

5. The linkage system according to claim 4 which is of obtusely angulated, zig-zag configurations as between alternate links when said links are in said expanded relation-ship.

6. The assembly according to claim 4 in which (i) said locking links have locking elements (4) thereon, (ii) said connecting links have locking element intercepted means (7) and pressure responsive unlocking means (6) at opposite ends thereof, (iii) said pressure responsive unlocking means on a given alternate connecting link actuates the locking element which is mounted on the locking link next adjacent one end of said alternate connecting link, and (iv) the release of said locking element intercepted means is controlled by a locking element as aforesaid, but which is mounted on the locking link next adjacent the opposite end of said given alternate connecting link.

7. The assembly according to claim 6 in which said links are rotatably connected to each other adjacent their opposite ends.

8. The linkage system according to claim 2 which essentially comprises said links, in which said links are all of elongated configuration, being rot-atably connected to each other in the vicinity of their opposite ends.

9. The linkage system according to claim 8 which is of obtusely angulated, zig-zag configuration as between alternate links when said links are in said expanded relationship.

10. The assembly according to claim 9 in which (i) said locking links have locking elements (4) thereon, (ii) said connecting links have locking element intercepted means (7 and pressure responsive unlocking means (6) at opposite ends thereof, (iii) said pressure responsive unlocking means on a given alternate connecting link actuates the locking element which is mounted on the locking link next adjacent one end of said alternate connecting link, and (iv) the release of said locking element intercepted means is controlled by a locking element as aforesaid, but which is mounted on the locking link next adjacent the opposite end of said given alternate connecting link.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,012,460 8/ 1-935 Vallen l60i126 3,052,913 9/ 1962 Cameron -126 X 3,105,543 10/ 196 3 Nolan 160-346 3,194,298 ,7/1965 Sussin 160-84 X 3,205,935 9/1965 Cayton 160-499 X DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, REINALDO P. MA-

CHADO, Examiners.

P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner, 

1. A CHAIN OF LINKS FOR FACILITATING THE FOLDING OF CURTAINS, FOLDING-WALLS AND THE LIKE, LONGITUDINALLY GUIDABLE IN AN UNFOLDED STATE TOWARD A FOLDING STATION HAVING A LINK OBSTRUCTION THEREAT, SAID CHAN COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF LINKS, MOVABLE MEANS MOUNTED UPON ALTERNATE LINKS, SAID MOVABLE BEING SO ADAPTED AND ARRANGED AS TO (A) ENGAGE WITH MEANS ON THE LINK NEXT ADJACENT THOSE UPON WHICH SAID MOVABLE MEANS ARE MOUNTED AND, (B) MOVE INDEPENDENTLY OF THE LINKS UPON WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED, WHEREBY WHEN SAID CHAIN IS IN EXPANDED OR STRETCHED CONDITION CONSEQUENT UPON THE APPLICATION OF A TENSILE EFFORT APPLIED THERETO, SAID MOVABLE MEANS AND SAID MEANS ON THE LINKS NEXT ADJACENT, ARE IN INTERLOCKED RELATIONSHIP UPON THE APPLICATION OF A COMPRESSIVE EFFORT APPLIED TO SAID CHAIN, AND WHEREBY (A) SAID CHAIN IS CAUSED TO MOVE AS A UNIT IN LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING, RIGID CONDITION TOWARD SAID OBSTRUCTION AND (B) EACH INDIVIDUAL LINK THEREOF, AS IT REACHES ITS END OF POSSIBLE TRAVEL DUE TO PRESENCE OF SAID OBSTRUCTION AT SAID FOLDING STATION, IS CAUSED SUCCESSIVELY TO COLLAPSE OR FOLD, WHEREBY SAID CHAIN MAY BE CONVERTED FROM SAID RIGID CONDITION INTO FOLDED CONDITION ONLY AS AND TO THE EXTENT THE LINKS THEREOF ARE PREVENTED FROM FURTHER LONGITUDINALLY GUIDED MOVEMENT DUE TO SAID OBSTRUCTION, AND AT SAID FOLDING STATION. 